My NCAA Tournament brackets are a mess. KU’s season came crashing down on millions of Jayhawks’ heads in a painful Round of 32 loss to St. John’s at the buzzer, and Missouri coach Dennis Gates is again under fire.
Yet I came away with a smile on my face Sunday night.
The tournament games held in St. Louis last weekend were amazing. Downtown was buzzing from Thursday through Sunday with fans from all corners of America.
Enterprise Center had big crowds and high energy. I doubt another NCAA Tournament game will top the overtime battle between upstart Santa Clara and blue blood Kentucky on Friday afternoon.
Purdue and Iowa State made statements, while Miami showed Missouri and its hometown crowd that it will be a force on the national scene.
The biggest winner of the weekend, though, was Tennessee State University. While its fan contingent didn’t match those of the bigger programs, it was loud and proud.
Leading the charge was the site’s most popular pep band, whose members are also part of the Aristocrat of Bands, TSU’s marching band.
Every song the band belted out, including “Funkin’ for Jamaica,” drew the attention of fans and media members inside Enterprise Center.
It was the fight song, “I’m So Glad,” that had fans swaying along.
After blaring out the notes in spectacular fashion, band members held their instruments to the sky, joined with TSU fans, and sang:
I’m so glad I go to TSU!
I’m so glad I go to TSU!
I’m so glad I go to TSU!
Singing glory hallelujah, I’m so glad!
During breaks in action, CBS and the center-hung scoreboards paid close attention to the youthful band, showing it respect as it played — and it features a pair of Hazelwood West High School graduates.
Donovan Durham on saxophone and Cassius Henley on brass helped the TSU pep band bring soulful energy that captivated fans of every team.
“Any band you name, I’m in it,” Durham said of his musical interests at TSU, which include the marching band.
After arriving Thursday, the band practiced at Enterprise Center, and videos began to pop up on social media. The band and cheerleaders also took in St. Louis sights, including the Gateway Arch and Ballpark Village.
Henley made sure to acknowledge Aaron Jackson, Hazelwood West’s recently retired band director. I asked him if TSU could hang with Iowa State like Santa Clara did with Kentucky.
He quickly responded, “We’re going to do better.”
It didn’t happen, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the band, TSU cheerleaders, or fans. The TSU experience is what the NCAA Tournament is all about.
Leave the worries about name, image and likeness dollars and the dizzying transfer portal at the door. Enjoy the students like those from TSU, who left an impression on people who have likely never set foot on an HBCU campus.
The Reid Roundup
Hey Missouri fans and certain area sports columnists; remember where Missouri basketball was before Dennis Gates took over the program…Young Black head coach Jai Lucas led Miami University over Missouri in Friday’s nightcap in St. Louis. The Hurricanes held a two-point halftime lead over Purdue and gave the No. 2 seed all it could handle on Sunday. “It’s hard to be a part of March Madness. It’s hard to win a game. I am just appreciative of that,” Lucas said… Iowa State’s best overall player, Joshua Jefferson, suffered an ankle sprain early in the Tennessee State game. The Cyclones then blasted Kentucky without him. If he returns later in the tournament, watch out for Iowa State… While college basketball is dominated by Black players, only one Black coach is in the Sweet 16. Kelvin Sampson and his Houston Cougars will face Illinois on Thursday… SLU hung with Michigan for much of its Round of 32 game last Saturday. But the Wolverines’ size and talent led to a 95-72 win. Coach Josh Schertz is made of gold, while Mizzou’s Dennis Gates is getting trashed. Guess which coach has accomplished more… Michigan beat SLU by 23 and Howard by 21. A shoutout to Howard coach Kenny Blakeney and the other HBCU schools that reached the NCAA Tournament: Tennessee State and Prairie View.